Lance McAlister on Carson Palmer: Carson needs to be better than Ben Roethlisberger for a change
by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 26, 2009 11:23 AM EDT
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PrintWhen the Bengals play the Pittsburgh Steelers, there's always a secondary argument that emerges; which we didn't touch this week. Carson Palmer is the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback (just in case you're new here). Ben Roethlisberger is the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback (just in case you're new here). The question: Who is the better quarterback? I didn't see the necessity of bringing up the debate this week -- and neither did any of you -- until yesterday when Lance McAlister started going into a rant about Carson Palmer. What really peeved McAlister is that Palmer said that last year's season ending hit on Keith Rivers was "actually unfortunate for Hines to go through what he went through because he was just playing football." McAlister points out that while Rivers was sucking liquid food through a straw with a wired jaw for eight weeks, it seemed both odd and unfortunate that Palmer felt bad for the Steelers wide receiver that delivered the hit on Rivers. While being critical of Palmer, McAlister wasn't ripping into him in some sports talk hatred diatribe. In truth, I couldn't disagree with most of the things he said.
But can you imagine Boomer coming out and expressing sympathy for what Ward went through if one of Boomer's teammates had his jaw wired shut for eight weeks? When Carson's not finding sympathy for the Ward, he's contemplating a player dying on the field. Hey, that would inspire me to follow him as my leader! I know, I know...mountain out of mole hill. Really? How about just another piece in the Carson puzzle I just don't get. I'm tired of Carson being handled with kid gloves in this town. This franchise and city needs more from Carson.
McAlister went on to make the Roethlisberger versus Palmer comparison, saying:
If we are choosing sides in the backyard today, you take Carson. I'll take Ben. I'll beat you. I'm tired of excuses being made for Carson. It's the OL...it's the running game...blah, blah, blah. Anyone check out how many times Ben has been sacked last last three years? 139 times (46,47,46). Most in the NFL. How is Ben's running game working out? How do Ben's WR's compare to Carson's? Ben is a leader. Ben can create. Ben can extend. Ben is clutch. All things I need to see from Carson.
Still, McAlister, like most of us, have a better feeling about this Bengals squad heading into the game against Pittsburgh than we have since 2006. He even predicts a win. But the question is, do you believe McAlister is right in his assessment? Or do you believe he is making a mountain out of a foot hill?
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All those things are true
But let’s also take into account:
*Ben hasn’t had Carson’s injuries.
*Carson hasn’t had the Steelers defense. Nothing remotely close to the Steelers D until last year.
So yeah, Lance didn’t say anything that was a lie. But football is a team sport. Not everything rests on Carson’s shoulders.
I love Carson but...
He’s not developed into everything we thought he was going to be when he first took the field in 04. Great passer, check. Great teamate, check. Top 5 QB, I don’t know. He just doesn’t seem to make the people around him better, maybe that’s an unfair expectation, but there it is. Maybe it is the injuries that have just derailed parts of three seasons (remember he missed those last 3 games after Richard Seymour banged up his knee his first season)
Do I still love having him as our QB, after everyone we’ve had since Boomer?? Absolutely. But will he ever be the guy that can lift the guys around him, warts and all, into a championship team, I don’t know anymore.
by swebbIL on Sep 26, 2009 12:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Obviously I'm biased but
He just doesn’t seem to make the people around him better,
you’ve got to be kidding me! Let’s compare the Bengals offense from the ’08 season where he was injured most of the year, to the ’07 season where he played.
’08 – Bengals have the 32nd ranked offense in the league.
’07 – Bengals have the 10th ranked offense in the league.
There is absolutely no question that Carson makes every single offensive player around him better. Perhaps, we should ask Ocho how much better he is when Carson is in the game. Obviously we’ve all been disappointed by a lack of winning seasons the last few years, but we lost as a team, which is in no way a reflection of Palmer.
This is our year!
Carson VS ben
Would we trade Carson for ben ? I sure wouldn’t nor would the steelers make the trade either. ben has been aided by a better supporting cast and has won more games plus has two rings Unfortunately for Carson, this is how QB’s are measured, but he still has the chance to leave a lasting legacy, God willing.
god willing?
Does god decide championships? What would be the sense in watching?
The only way Carson is not better than Ben is if Carson doesn’t play.
Carson is more talented. Carson has better arm strength, better touch on the ball, and better ability to throw better precision balls. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to watch Ben chuck up the most ugly duck of a pass you’ve ever seen and go puke as I have to listen to the announcers gush over how he made such an awesome play when his WRs made his pathetic crap look OK. Carson’s even better looking (not like that matters of course). What he does not have (unfortunately) is better health.
In contrast, Ben has a better supporting cast (so far at least). Ben has a better defense (so far at least). Ben usually has a better running game (so far at least). Ben has everything handed to him on a silver platter, he rode an admittedly great defense and a couple of absolutely horrible ref calls to one ring, and he rode some great play from his WRs and DEF while playing against a defense that when it counted most didn’t even try to stop him at all to another.
Would I trade Carson for Ben? Not even if you threw in the entire Steeler defense and the absolute best OL in the entire league as a bonus.
You're kidding me right!
Did Ben’s knee get shredded on a low hit in the playoffs? Did Ben ever tear a ligament in his elbow? Has Carson ever had a defense worth two squats? Has Carson EVER had a supporting cast like Ben? NO NOT EVER!!!!!!!! Put Carson on the Steelers they probably have 3 or 4 rings. Oh and by the way, remember the S.B. they played against the Seahawks and won? It was one of the worst statisical games ever played by a Q.B. in the big game EVER. That’s just a fact, look it up! The G.O.A.T. greatest of all time that some of these ass clowns like to call Ben is a total joke to me. He rode that defense to that S.B. win just like alot of his wins over the years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Box Score
http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=260205023
avg td int
B. Roethlisberger 9/21 123 5.9 0 2
ouch
all he was saying was
Carson needs to be a better leader towards his fellow teammates! No I wouldn’t trade Carson for WORTHLESSBERGER. But Carson needs to Man up and stick up for his teammates first, then stick up for other players IF NEED BE. “Though that hit on Rivers was a cheap shot.” I’ve notice when an injury happens, Carson is the first one to downplay the situation and give the opposing player the benefit of doubt, saying things like, he didn’t mean to do that. Is Carson that gullible or is he just being a good guy that doesn’t want to stir the pot? I know some players that have played in the NFL and they all have told me it’s a vicious game and some players intentionally try to hurt.
HAHAHA running game? really?
I like seeing how everyone is desperately trying to make carson the would be second coming of christ and desperately trying to look down on Ben…
the fact is, Ben is the single reason why the steelers won 2 superbowls. Sure sure the defense is great bla bla bla…but look at the facts.
from 1990 to 2009 the steelers went to 3 superbowls. only once in the 90s in 95 did they go to the superbowl. from 90 to 2009 the steelers have gone to the AFC championship game 7 times.
from 1990 to 2001 they went to the AFC 4 times.
Since Ben has played in 2004 season they went to the AFC THREE TIMES….in less than half the amount of time he has played he has gone to the AFC almost as many times as the steelers did in nearly 15 years.
From 1990 to 2009 the steelers have consistently had a top ten defense. obviously, its nto because of only the defense that the steelers went to the superbowl.
you talk about a RUNNING GAME?
the steelers have had a mediocre running game since 2007. last year the steelers finished 28th in rushing. seriously…28th. and yet the steelers still managed to go to the superbowl.
you like to post stats about Bens ROOKIE play at the superbowl after ONLY ONE YEAR AS A PRO…
well lets look at his play last year at the SECOND superbowl:
21/ 30 256 yards 1 TD and 1 Int(tipped pass) not to shabby for a 5th year pro eh?
oh and on that note…you talk about our defense? please, give me Chad johnson, coles, and henry(without his crime record) and we’d be in the Superbowl EVERY YEAR. so dont complain.
Ben makes wins happen. ben wins. ben has succeeded while playing for ONE OF THE WORST OFFENSIVE LINES IN THE ENTIRE GAME…..so complain all you want.
steelers have the trophies. what do you have? you whiny losers.
How do you reply to this?
Don’t want to argue with you surag, but the Steelers D has been historically good. How do I know this? Was it 95 when they got to the S.B. with Neill O’ Donnell as the Q.B! Enough said because he proceeded to stink up the place, throwing TWO BAD PICKS to Larry Brown! After that didnt Brown sign a huge contract with the Raiders, then you never saw or heard from the guy since! The only S.B. you guys lost! Hell you probably could’ve had Akili Smith, David Klingler, or Moms Mobley back there and still got there. I’m not hating on the Steelers. Great organization, and they win year in and year out. Bengals can learn alot from the way they run the show over there. Sometimes you guys are a little arrogant though. If I was a Steeler fan I’d probably would be also.
Carson V Ben
I love Carson and in a very close call I would take Carson over Ben. Carson is a top 3 QB if (big if) he has an elite O-line. Carson is a thoroughbred. Ben is a huge physically and has an intangible quality and drive to succeed. All Ben does is win. Can’t realy argue with that.
I remember when Ben was a senior-might even have been when he was a junior- USA Today had an article about him and how he willed Miami Univ. to win. Multiple instances of him being under pressure but somehow pulling the ball out his ass and making a big play. We had already drafted Carson the year before and I was so pissed that Ben lasted to the Sqeelers. Steelers were lucky Rivers and Manning were in the same draft.
Lunchbox is the reason the Steelers won 2 super bowls? That makes perfect sense. Just like Trent Dilfer is the reason the Ravens got their ring.
what? lunchbox? wth?
what are you talking about dude.
steelers got to the superbowl for both because of ben, and won one because of ben.
yea dut heres the real ?
what have ya done for me lately.if ben were here maybe we win at least 1 superbowl.i agree with you lance.
by randyrmp@hotmail.com on Sep 27, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions
Here's a comparison from this game
I’m watching Ben, he’s doing his check downs, the pocket collapses and Geathers almost gets him. Ben rolls left and finds Parker for the score.
Now, here’s Carson. It’s Third and 3 and he’s not checking down, he’s eyeballing Caldwell to his right. Strangely, he misses a Pitt defender between two offensive linemen and throws the ball which the defender jumps up to deflect.
This was the way both men played this game; one making plays while the other is doing so only marginally.
midnight crusader
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